Leadership Jonesboro Graduates Its 29th Class

A program to build young leaders in Jonesboro marked another milestone Thursday as nearly 20 people graduated from the nine-month program.

Leadership Jonesboro was created in 1986 to give people a chance to learn more about their community, Leadership LINK president Jeff Chastain said.

The program typically includes a retreat for the group, as well as visiting area businesses and the state Capitol in Little Rock.

Participants also get the chance to work on a civic project.

“It is about something bigger than yourself,” Chastain said, noting the projects give participants a chance to use their talents and personality.

Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce vice president Cari White said the group, with its relatively quiet nature, worked well together and made it a successful year.

PROJECTS
The participants were divided into four groups to work on their projects.

One group, Team A, focused on educating people on recycling while Team B focused on City Youth Ministries.

Team C worked with the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society in Jonesboro while the fourth group, Team D, worked to help create a food backpack program at Jonesboro Math and Sciences charter school.

Angie York, who was on Team A, said the group worked with Abilities Unlimited to create the program.

The program will involve having recycling education programs at Jonesboro, Nettleton and Valley View for kids in kindergarten through 3rd grade, as well as working on a recycling initiative in downtown Jonesboro.

Team B helped City Youth Ministries, a program that helps at-risk children in Jonesboro.

Lisa Golden, who was on Team B, said the focus was on City Youth Ministries’ Project 365.

A benefit night Monday (Aug. 31) at Sully’s in Jonesboro raised $2,931 for the group.

Team C has raised $2,777 of the nearly $5,000 needed to build an intake building at the humane society, while Team D raised $6,120 from 16 area businesses and individuals to give 40 backpacks to needy students.

OPPORTUNITY
Melanie Edens, who participated in the program, said she was honored to give the valedictory speech for the group.

Edens said the class, which may include “one future bank president, one future school board member, one future city council member and a future mayor” helped her to build relationships as well as learning about government.

“Making a difference is what life and leadership are about,” Edens said.

In addition to York, Golden and Edens, other people to participate in the program are Mark Barnett, Mary Beasley, Coty Cox, Craig Earley, Brian Emison, Amy Fitzgerald, Delos Fritz, Hailey Knight, Amelia Middleton, Slade Mitchell, Jessica Odom, Whitney Pardew, Lydia Parkey, Blair Perry, Trent Taylor and Nathan Whitmire.